Dental Whitening Systems - What Are The Real Facts?

If you have considered a trip to a professional about a dental whitening system, then you are not alone. People, on average, spend quite a lot of their hard earned paychecks on dental visits in order to have whiter teeth and fresher breath. But you may be asking yourself, why go to a professional when you can get good results at home, without paying a huge dental bill. There are some great kits on the market that can give you a smile of which to be proud, and all from the comfort of your own home.

Once upon a time, the dental whitening system worked through the use of a plastic tray and bleaching gel. The contraption was molded to each individual's mouth and the tray, after filling it with the special whitening gel, was left in overnight. Unfortunately, the gel lost its effectiveness after a few hours and there was also irritation to the gums and throat from the substance being in the mouth for such a prolonged period of time.

Items such as Crest White Strips have eliminated the need for the bulky whitening trays and bleach that stayed on overnight. These whitening strips are applied to the teeth and then left on for fifteen to thirty minutes twice a day. Some of the new lines are applied only at night. The reason is that most people, after brushing their teeth at night, do not eat or drink anything until they wake in the morning, therefore leaving the whitening gel on the tooth surface longer.

Teeth whitening kits also are produced in generic versions such as Equate found in Wal-Mart. Truth be told, they are just as effective as their brand name counterparts. If you are unsure if the kit is of the same quality as Crest, then take a look at the ingredients list. Chances are the active ingredients are the same for both brands and you may actually save a few dollars.

A dental whitening system may not be the best idea if you have problems with the enamel on your teeth. The gel can cause sensitivity and pain. It may also irritate your gums and produce an allergic reaction. The majority of adults do not have problems with using the whitening kits and you may not either. You can always talk with your dentist about a tooth whitening product that he or she recommends based on your dental history.

To learn more go to Teeth Whitening In Dallas and at Tooth Whitening In San Francisco